Epic Of The Demonic Sage

The next day arrived quickly. Lucius woke up and found himself waking early. Once again, unaware of the things that happened to him, a familiar set of black dots appeared on his skin right as he woke up.

Lucius massaged his forehead.

"This splitting headache is infuriating. If there\'s one thing to truly not like about this world, then it\'s this." Lucius muttered.

The fact that Lucius could perform Soul Spells due to the existence of the Necklace of the Damned with him was not entirely lost, the number was at a greater pull here.

However, it also came with the reduction of his ability to modify his own body and that of the capacity to use Hell Energy as effectively as he could.

If there was anything that he was glad of though, was the existence of the Hell Gates. Even while Lucius closed his eyes, over the distance to the Etara\'s Cross, he noticed the presence of the Lost that was connected to him.

It was fainter compared to the ones available in Inanis City, but their pull was strong enough that Lucius could directly and inherently still give orders, despite the location.

\'I admit that I\'ve been a little worried before about how a Lost would disguise themselves along that of the people since it is quite clear that even with their armor on, they do not know how to thoroughly act like humans well.\' Lucius thought.

Instead, what Lucius did before during the time that he was immersed in the training of the Lost, he also made them capable of following other people\'s commands but Lucius\'s was the most vital speaker if there ever was a time that the Lost had to choose.

Only that wasn\'t an entirely clear explanation.

\'Command isn\'t exactly the greatest of words due to the deterioration of their brain, leaving only a fragment of their instinctive selves on the line.\' Lucius thought. \'It\'s more to decipher and recognize the human speech that the others say and pairing if it matches with what I\'ve instilled in them.

It had taken him so much time to make them \'trained\' in that when another person spoke, then the word was registered and a premeditated action was performed.

\'They did not necessarily need to eat or drink, but upon inquiry of such things among the people, it was important that it appeared like that they were in a contract and were quite focused on achieving their goals and missions without interfering with the lives of others.

Be it even among others themselves. 

\'When the topic is brought up, they will be going on their food breaks with their own rations and seclude themselves from the offer of others at inquiry. Hah. It did not appear like a lot of work, but the time I\'ve spent instilling those things into their mind was troublesome.\' Lucius thought.

It was easy to use the Mark of Obedience and know what it did to someone, and make them work accordingly since they were semi functional on their own, only needing guidance from Lucius here and there while also accepting the possibility, no matter how slim, that things might not go in his favor.

The Lost themselves were completely submitted to him. It also meant that they weren\'t capable of doing most things beyond that of instincts hence the training.

***

"Good morning." Lucius greeted the people at the Inanis Mansion\'s dining hall. The atmosphere in the dining room was a little different from last night.

There was a far more thoughtful look on the faces of the Count and Countess\'s faces and it became clear to Lucius as to why they were looking that way.

\'It seems like Miss Lily has actually managed to get to them. For some reason, I cannot tell whether that is approval or disapproval. It is more like uncertainty on their faces more than anything else.\' Lucius thought before he glanced in the young woman\'s direction.

That early morning, Lily chose to dress up nicely in a beautiful white gown that made her pretty. It was an outfit that was both simple, delicate and classy and it was something that Lily chose for that specific reason.

\'Can you see, Asher? I… I haven\'t exactly gotten a yes from your mother and father, but it wasn\'t a no either. Hah, I wish my family\'s rank was higher than that of a Baron because obviously, it seems like I\'m only marrying up for access to the Inanis Clan family ranks, but the truth of the matter is that it seems like your parents love you very much so,\' Lily thought with a well-kept smile. \'Even more, than mine does.\'

\'While Baron Hugh\'s daughter seems like a lovely young woman. I do not know how Asher feels about the matter himself, so I cannot give any kind of input without seeing how my son actually reacts to the presence of Miss Lily here.\' Countess Lita thought. \'I… I do not mind Baron Hugh, but the Baroness is a little eccentric if Asher and Lily were to end up together. Hah, it\'s not really the best of matches, though I do like the girl. She knows what she wants and is unafraid to pursue it. We need more of that today.\'

\'The only thing that matters is whether or not Asher wishes for the girl to stay. The fact that Lily is asking around for permission reminds me more of a young suitor trying to court a lady properly, which is a little… unladylike, but it is a strong personality trait that could be of use to the people here. It\'s too early to think about things, but there is the chance of offspring.\' Count Inanis thought.

In the past, there was a worry between the Count and Countess that Asher was going to suffer a future of being Giftless and disrespected by the people around him, that was why they tried their best to make him feel safe and loved.

But now, Asher was finally at the age where he could make his own decisions.